My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

the cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group

cake is

making a ‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper

and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake, what should

head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel

must sing the ‘Happy Birthday’

Rachel must close her

blow out the

to Julian that there was no need

he still lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young

head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table

clasped her hands and made a wish. After that,

you!” their parents

each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community

the light of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in

be so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care

me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At

and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since you have a

turned and headed

apartment and about to

was propped open by a large hand

head up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all

he out on

himself, he slid sideways into the house and shut the

been getting

she took two steps back. Why are you

her as he pulled off his necktie and

you wouldn’t want me to

by step he approached her, forcing

Rachel had no idea

caught hold of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all the